Alumni Night of Excellence

Alumni Night of Excellence honors alumni achievements in business, community service, volunteerism and more. This annual celebration will also recognize the Young Alumni “10 within 10” awardees.

The 2025 Alumni Night of Excellence will be held on Saturday, May 17 in the Oakland Center Ballrooms.

Nominations are now closed. Recipients will be selected and notified in February.

Please contact Erin Sudrovech at [email protected] with questions.

Awards

Distinguished Alumni Service Award is OU's highest honor and recognizes peerless volunteer leadership in service to OU or its alumni association.
Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award recognizes outstanding professional achievement and/or contributions to the community.
Odyssey Award recognizes alumni who demonstrate a lifelong approach to learning and exemplify OU's motto, "to seek virtue and knowledge".
Spirit Award recognizes those OU "cheerleaders" who provide exemplary volunteer service, advocate tirelessly, and show great pride in their affiliation to OU.
Community Engagement Award recognizes distinctive community, public or OU service activities.
Honorary Alumni Award recognizes individuals who have not graduated from OU but who have given outstanding service to the university.
Young Alumni "10 within 10" Awards recognize the exceptional impact young alumni make within their professions and throughout their communities. A cohort of 10 honorees will be selected. Nominees must have graduated within the last 10 years and be 35 years old or younger.

Current Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Service Award

The Distinguished Alumni Service Award is Oakland’s highest alumni honor. It recognizes peerless volunteer leadership in service to OU or its alumni association.

Judy Hegelund, SBA ‘95

Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award

The Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award recognizes outstanding professional achievement or contribution to the community.

Martin Reisig, CAS ’67

Odyssey Award

The Odyssey Award honors alumni whose lives exemplify Oakland University’s motto to “seek virtue and knowledge.”

Dr. Timothy Shanahan, CAS ‘72 and SEHS ‘74

Spirit Award

The Spirit Award recognizes exemplary volunteer service to the university.

Mitchell Shaver, CAS ‘96, SHS’ 96 and ‘00

Alumni Community Engagement Award

The Alumni Community Engagement Award recognizes distinctive service of a humanitarian nature or citizenship through community, public, or OU service activities.

Tara Michener, SEHS ‘12

Honorary Alumni Award

The Honorary Alumni Awards are given to individuals who have not graduated from OU, but who have given outstanding service to the university.

Dr. Daniel Walsh

Past Recipients

Distinguished Alumni Service Award Past Recipients

2023 Robert Thornton, CAS '77
2022 Mark Guthrie, SECS '86, SBA '91
2020 Bryan Barnett, SBA 1998
2019 Gary Brancaleone, SBA 1982
2018 Beth Benson, SBA 1981
2017 The Honorable Peter J. Lucido, CAS 1983
2016 John Hruska, SBA 1989, BGS 1986
2015 Tony Moscone, SBA 1989
2014 Lynn Gross, SBA 1987
2013 Bernard Kent, SBA 1971
2012 Greggory Garrett, SECS 1997
2011 Michael K. Stamper, SHS 1983
2010 Craig Stinson, SBA 1984
2009 Jackie Long, SON 1981
2008 Monica Emerson, CAS 1971
2007 Michael W. Michalak, CAS 1968
2006 Leo Bowman, CAS 1976
2005 Susan Evans, CAS 1987
2004 Marianne Fey Miller, CAS 1980
2003 Dennis Pawley, SEHS 1982
2002 David Doyle, CAS 1980
2001 James Wilbert, SBA 1973
2000 Susan Cischke, SECS 1976
1998 Gary Laidlaw, CAS 1964
1997 John Flick, SECS 1981,1977
1996 Julie Granthen, SBA 1987, CAS 1981
1995 Barbara Williams, SEHS 1980, 1966
1994 Harrison Miller Jr., CAS 1988, SEHS 1973
1993 Gregory Demanski, SBA 1963
1992 Janet Bennett, CAS 1990, 1979
1991 Robert Meyer, SBA 1978
1990 Frances Amos, SBA 1980
1989 Kathryn Rhadigan, CAS 1983
1988 Gerald Alt, CAS 1976
1986 Richard Wlodyga, SBA 1981
1986 Mark Kotler, CAS 1970
1985 Gary Marchenia, SECS 1972
1984 Barry Klein, CAS 1968
1983 William Connellan, CAS 1967
1983 Marie Gormley, CAS 1978, 1976
1982 Thomas Yatooma, SECS 1977
1982 John Mills, CAS 1972
1981 Ann Arner, SBA 1975
1981 James Morrison, SEHS 1963
1980 Judith Nolish, CAS 1971
1980 Ann Marie Given, SEHS 1982, 1972
1980 A. Warren Turski, SECS 1971, 1968
1979 David Lewis,SBA 1965
1979 R. James Girardot, CAS 1968
1979 Susan McKelvey, CAS 1971
1978 Alan Mann, CAS 1970
1977 William Shea, SEHS 1974, CAS 1965
1977 Robert White, SECS 1972, 1970
1976 Phillip Williams, SECS 1964
1976 Mary Wermuth, SEHS 1981,1965, CAS 1969
1976 Donald Moran, SEHS 1963
1976 Judith Moran, SEHS 1963

Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award Past Recipients

2023 Brian Felice, CAS '02
2022 Esau Pritchett, CAS '98
2020 Joanne C. Gerstner, CAS 1993
2019 Jayne Houdyshell, ADA 1974
2018 Malcom Dunbar, SHS 2012
2017 Jacquelyn Wagner, CAS '03
2016 Addie Williams, SEHS 1973
2015 Robert Gibbs, CAS 1977
2014 Stacie Behler, CAS 1992
2013 Michael Kenny, CAS 1977
2013 Dr. Joseph A. Helpern, CAS 1988
2012 Joel Frederiksen, CAS 1990
2012 Richard D. French, CAS 1984
2011 Joseph A. Gardella Jr., CAS 1977
2010 Robert Gebbie, CAS 1976
2009 Beth Gotthelf, CAS 1980
2009 Dr. Kenneth McMillan, CAS 1972
2008 Lester Binder, CAS 1972
2007 Regina Carter, CAS 1985
2006 Anne Cairns Federlein, SEHS 1974
2005 Charles McKenna, CAS 1966
2004 Jeffrey Hansen, CAS 1980
2003 George Jackson, SEHS 1975
2002 Susan Quattrociocchi, CAS 1972
2001 Robert McGowan, CAS 1975, 1972, 1967
2000 Garry Gilbert, CAS 2002, 1995
1998 Michael & Diane Grieves, SBA 1979 & SBA 1983
1997 Howard Birndorf, CAS 1971
1996 Janet Holmgren, CAS 1968
1995 Dennis Pawley, SEHS 1982
1994 David Baker Lewis, SBA 1965

Odyssey Award Past Recipients

2023 Darryl C. Hill, SEHS '10
2022 Valiena A. Allison, SBA '88 and '94
2020 Avinash Konkani, SECS 2014 (Ph.D.)
2019 James Ewing, Ph.D., CAS 1992
2018 Constance O'Malley, SON 1983
2017 Ida M. Malian, PhD, CAS '70
2016 James Sherry, MD, Ph.D., CAS 1975
2015 Steven D. Townsend, Ph.D., CAS 2005
2014 Tobi Voigt, CAS 2004, 1998
2013 Jeff Frankowiak, SEHS 2012, 2006, 2004
2012 Tamra Dukatz, SON 1993
2011 Michelle Franzen Martin, CAS 1999
2011 Brent Vasicek
2010 Bethany Broadwell (posthumously), CAS 1997
2010 Steven Gaynor, SEHS 1978
2009 Kevin Grazier, CAS 1987
2009 Dr. Paul McGhee, CAS 1963
2008 Sharon Valenti, SON 1997, 1993
2008 Cheryl Angelelli, CAS 1993
2007 Gary Pilibosian, SECS 1986, 1984
2006 Robert Deneweth, CAS 1963
2005 Wendy Lull, CAS 1974
2004 Christy Hicks, CAS 1997
2004 Staci Ross Carr, CAS 1996
2003 Jack Parker
2003 Monica Emerson, CAS 1971
2002 Heidi Van Arnem, BGS 1989
2001 Patricia Book, CAS 1972
1998 Jerry Clark, CAS 1975
1997 Denise Pike, CAS 1983
1996 Jacqueline Solway, CAS 1973
1995 Shelagh O'Rourke, CAS 1976
1994 Paul & Diane Haig, SEHS 1973 & SECS 1982, 1986

Spirit Award Past Recipients

2023 Penny and Michael Nyberg, SECS '63 and CAS '88
2022 Andrea Bittinger, SON '89, '96 and '18 and Scott Bittinger, SBA '88
2020 Gary and Elspeth Coats, SBA 1995 and SBA 1991
2019 Rob Ray, SBA 2005
2018 Ken McCarter, SBA 1986
2017 Michael Lerchenfeldt, SEHS '08
2017 Mark Guthrie, SBA '91, SECS '86
2016 John Stoll, CAS 2000
2015 Garry J. Gilbert, Holly Shreve Gilbert, CAS 2002, 1995 & CAS 2005
2014 Barbara and Allen Gough, SEHS 1992
2013 Thomas Mittelbrun, SBA 1988
2012 Anthony Thornton, CAS 1976
2012 Robert Thornton, CAS 1977
2011 Jason Ryska, SECS 1997, 1995
2010 Matthew Karrandja, CAS 1997
2010 Thomas Schaeffler, SBA 1985
2009 Cindy Thieme, SBA 1994
2009 Jonathan Crawford, SEHS 1976
2008 Dr. Lisa Flynn, CAS 1989
2008 Tracy Huth, CAS 1985
2007 Robert Schostak, BGS 1978
2006 Nino DiCosmo, CAS 1990
2006 William Goldenberg, CAS 1970
2005 John Ganfield, SBA 1981
2005 Peter J. Lucido, CAS '83
2004 Gary Brancaleone, SBA 1982
2004 Beth Benson SBA 1981
2003 Barry Klein, CAS 1968
2002 Michael Palazzola, SBA 1978
2001 Chris Catallo, CAS 1990
2001 Stanley Babiuk, SECS 1973
2000 A. Randolph & Patricia (Roan) Judd, CAS 1972 & SEHS 1973
1998 Stephan & Rita Sharf
1998 Susan Evans, CAS 1988
1998 James & Anne Howlett
1997 Edward Williams, CAS 1973
1997 Mel & Jennifer Gilroy, CAS 1989 & CAS 1973
1996 Colleen Peters, CAS 1987
1996 Paul & Bonnie Karas SECS 1977 & CAS 1987
1995 Jean Ann Miller CAS 1977
1994 Marjorie Neubacher, SEHS 1980
1994 Julie Granthen, SBA 1987, CAS 1981
1994 Marion Adams Bunt, CAS 1982
1994 James Wilbert, SBA 1973

Alumni Community Engagement Award Past Recipients

2023 Gail Winber Bagale, CAS '68; Kate Thoresen, CAS '67 and '72
2022 Brenda Carter, CAS '14
2020 Nicole Lindsey, CAS 2014
2019 Anthony C. Boganey, MD, FACS, MBA, CAPT, MC USN, CAS 1988
2019 Nihal Goonewardene, CAS 1972
2018 Sharman Cobb-Davenport, CAS 1980
2017 Mary (Puzerski) Sloan, SEHA '69 & '63
2017 Amanda L. Rymiszewski, SBA '09
2016 Nicholas Kristock, SBA 2014, 2013
2015 Thomas A. Tanghe, CAS 1990, 1988
2014 Jennifer Valoppi, CAS 1979
2013 Judith Hoppin, SEHS 1978
2012 Lynne Lombard, SHS 1984
2011 Stefen Welch, CAS 2005
2010 Tom Schramski, SECS 1978

Honorary Alumni Award Past Recipients

2023 Joan Rosen
2022 Virinder K. Moudgil, PhD
2020 Allen Gough
2019 Ron Kevern
2018 Tom Ford
2018 Robert Gaylor
2017 April M. Clobes
2016 Thomas E. Kimble
2015 Mary Beth Snyder
2015 Don and Jan O'Dowd
2014 Bill Rogers
2014 Dr. Kenneth Hightower
2013 Dr. Judith K. Brown
2012 Gary C. Peters,
2012 Joy James Williams
2011 Timothy F. Healy,
2011 Moon Jae Pak
2010 John and Marie Pino
2009 Ron May,
2009 L. Brooks Patterson
2008 Stephan Sharf
2007 Dr. Gary Russi
2007 Beckie Francis
2006 Philip Willis Jr
2005 Roberta Bresette
2005 John Tower
2005 Greg Kampe
2004 George Preisinger
2004 Carl Barnes
2003 R. Hugh & Nancy Elliott
2003 Patrick Nicosia
2002 George Wibby
2002 Richard Stamps
2001 Margaret Allesee
2001 George Seifert
2001 John Savio
2000 Dr. John Ylvisaker
2000 Francis Engelhardt
2000 Janette Engelhardt

Pioneer Award Past Recipients

2018 Frank Rewold & Son
2014 The Honors College Group
2013 Charter Class of 1963

Outstanding Young Alumni Award Past Recipients

2020 Holly Franson, SON 2009 (MSN)
2019 Amy Ring Cebelak, CAS 2010
2018 Hillary Sawchuk, CAS 2009
2017 Jared Bogdanov-Hanna, CAS '08
2016 Tara Michener, SEHS 2012
2015 Kelly Kozlowski, CAS 2016, 2008
2014 Michael Medvinsky, CAS 2015, 2005
2013 Alexis Anne Collins, CAS 2005
2013 Rick Williams, SBA 2006
2012 David McGhee, CAS 2005
2011 Adam Kochenderfer, CAS 2002
2010 The Honorable Bryan Barnett, SBA 1998

Past Young Alumni 10 Within 10 Awards

2023

Blake Bonkowski, CAS '14
Emily Cutlip, CAS '13 and '17
Salwan Georges, CAS '15
Aaron Helander, BIS '17 and SBA '20
Rebecca Mix, CAS '17
Farzana Noor, SON '14 and '19
Laura Ortiz, OUWB '15
Celeste Smith, SEHS '21
Nickolas Wheeling, CAS '20
Raymond Yeow, OUWB '16

2022

Katie Aleck, SHS '17
Jamilah Alhashidi, OUWB '19
Fatima Fahs, OUWB '16
Koby Glenn, CAS '12
Nick Hooper, CAS '12, SEHS '15
Christian Kettenbeil, SBA '17
Kelsey Novak, CAS '15
Travis R. Peterson, SBA '12
Eddie Rayborn, Jr., SEHS '14
Megan Elizabeth Tack, SBA '18 and '21

Young Alumni "10 within 10" Awards

The Young Alumni 10 Within 10 Awards recognize the exceptional impact young alumni make within their professions and throughout their communities. Awardees have graduated within the last 10 years and are 35 years old or younger.

Miranda Divozzo, CAS ’14

Martin Shafer, CAS ‘11, CAS ‘14 and SEHS ‘20

Sarah Swarz, CAS ‘15

Elizabeth Zaborowski-Majda, SHS ‘18 and SHS ‘20

Lesley Sleeman, SHS ‘13 and SHS ‘16

Nathan Wright, SEHS ‘18

Jessica Dzubnar Barker, OUWB ‘19

Laura Tack, SBA ‘15 and SBA ‘17

Kristin Penrose, CAS, ‘21

Kendell Jefferson, CAS ‘18

Alumni Engagement

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